Naperville North football aims to raise bar in 2001

Naperville North's football team came within one game of playing for the Class 6A championship in 2000.

This fall, the self-imposed expectations are even higher.

"We got to the semifinals last year and they want to improve on it this year," said Naperville North coach Larry McKeon, whose team went 11-2 and lost to DuPage Valley Conference rival Glenbard North.

"The only way they can improve on it is by going to the championship."

North's only losses last fall were to DuPage Valley teams, including a 31-14 regular season setback to Naperville Central. But the Huskies turned the tables come playoff time and snapped the Redhawks' two-season, 25-game winning streak with a 36-33 decision.

North comes into the 2001 season possessing a veteran defense, a speedy backfield and a physically imposing but untested offensive line.

"Defensively we've got some kids back who can play," said McKeon. "We really look forward to getting these guys on the field because they're a pretty good unit."

David Choi, a 5-10, 210-pound senior, returns at linebacker. He'll be joined by junior Corey McKeon, the coach's son, who switches to linebacker from safety.

Senior Marty Fornelli (6-4, 255) moves from tackle to center this fall, and Steve Sarm (6-0, 210) adds a stable presence in the backfield as he returns as fullback.

Other running backs are expected to include junior Mike Costantino and Corey McKeon.

"We've got some real speed in the backfield ... and I think our offensive line is going to have some size," said Larry McKeon. "That's a little different for us. We're usually pretty small."

And McKeon is pleased with the way they've all meshed.

"This is a team that has very high expectations of each other," said McKeon. "We've got a nice mixture of seniors and juniors and we've got some pretty good talent. And we've got great leadership from our captains. They've done a nice job of pulling this team together."

The total numbers are up this year. Huskies coaches expected about 84 out for varsity and have had as many as 92 at practices this week.

"We're going to need about 10 buses to get to games," McKeon said.

North opens the season with a nonconference game Aug. 24 at Palatine. DuPage Valley play begins on Sept. 7 at Wheaton North.

Naperville Central

Last fall, the Redhawks went 11-1, captured their sixth DuPage Valley title under head coach Joe Bunge and marched to the Class 6A quarterfinals before falling to Naperville North.

Fourteen lettermen--including nine starters--are back from that group. And there's enough talent coming up from last year's 9-0 sophomore team to give Central ammunition for another strong run.

"We believe we have the ingredients necessary for an outstanding season," said Bunge, who has a 133-41 record through 15 years at the school.

Six offensive starters are back, including quarterback Phil Horvath, a 6-3 senior who threw for 1,427 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Redhawks averaged 350 yards and 41 points per game. Also back is running back Kyle Griffith (1,145 rushing yards and 260 in receptions) and wide receiver Tyke Spencer (13 receptions for 299 yards).

An impressive offensive line should help ignite another offensive show. The line is anchored by returning starters Justin Swartz, Brendan Baskin and Rob Bentley.

On defense, the line will be relatively new, but the linebacking corps looks solid. That group is led by Mike Lucas, who had 59 tackles and 26 assists in 2000. Also back is outside linebacker Matt Benson, who had 10 tackles last fall.

The Redhawks open on Aug. 24 at home against Marian Catholic and travel to Wheaton Warrenville South for their conference opener on Sept. 7.

Neuqua Valley

The Wildcats are looking for more than improvement this fall. They're gunning for a playoff berth and maybe more in what appears to be a wide-open Upstate Eight race.

"There's no question we're going to be competitive and solid," said Neuqua Valley coach Brian Wells, whose team finished 3-6 overall last fall. "We're going to be solid defensively and swarm the football. ... On offense, our offensive line--with three returning starters--is solid and we're going to look to them to set the pace."

Junior Dan Gallup is set at fullback while senior Jason Broderick will also be a running back. Genslinger will also play strong safety on defense. Joining him will be returnees Easton Linde, an all-conference honoree and the team's leading tackler, at linebacker. Also back is senior Jeff Dugas, a 280-pound defensive tackle.

Wells was still looking for a starting quarterback through the first few days of practice, but the rest of the offensive backfield seems set with Gallup, Broderick and tailback Rob Wheeler.

Getting off to a strong start is critical for a successful fall.

"If we come out of the gate against Oswego [the Aug. 24 season opener] and against Plainfield [the next week], we can be 6-3 and bound for the playoffs," he said.

"If we play with a lot of confidence we're going to like the result."

Upstate Eight play begins Sept. 7 at home against East Aurora.

Benet Academy

The Redwings aren't lacking in experience as they seek to improve from last year's 2-7 season. Ten players (six on offense and four on defense) all saw at least some action as starters last fall.

And head coach Gary Goforth hopes that experience translates into better fortunes.

Leading returnees included quarterback James Maggio, a 5-10 senior who threw for nearly 900 yards, and 5-7 senior running back Teddy Ostrowski, who performed very well in the later stages of the 2000 season.

"I think we have the ability to be a pretty decent team," said Goforth. "We've got a real strong junior class and we've got a good senior core leadership. ... But we have to stay away from the injury bug because we don't have quite the depth that other teams have."

Benet opens the season Aug. 24 with a nonconference match at Batavia. The Redwings begin Catholic Metropolitan White conference play on Sept. 8 at home against Notre Dame.

Lisle

The Lions should be able to score points thanks to the return of several skill players back on offense. But defense is a concern after graduation claimed several top players.

"It's a good group of kids, but we just don't have the horses we had last year," said Lisle coach Dan Sanko, whose team was 5-4 overall last fall. "I'm counting on continuity and chemistry to get us through."

Among the bright spots are the return of junior quarterback Kevin Crouch, a 6-foot, 190-pounder who started as a sophomore. Also back is receiver Joe Cortez and running backs Peter Taylor and Tony Gnat. All are seniors.

The Lions open the season on Aug. 25 with a nonconference game at Wheaton-St. Francis. They open Interstate Eight Conference play on Sept. 8 at home against Seneca.